The 2012–2013 pattern dance in the short dance was the Yankee Polka on the senior level and Blues on the junior level. One accident occurred at a competition – at the 2012 Cup of China, the United States' Adam Rippon collided with China's Song Nan who sustained a concussion and withdrew.
Age eligibility
Skaters competing on the junior level were required to be at least 13 but not 19 – or 21 for male pair skaters and ice dancers – before July 1, 2012. Those who turned 14 before that date were eligible for the senior Grand Prix series and senior B internationals. Those who turned 15 before July 1, 2012 were also eligible for the senior World, European, and Four Continents Championships.
In order to compete in the Grand Prix series, skaters were required to reach the minimum total score at an accepted ISU event:
ISU Championships
In June 2012, the International Skating Union increased the minimum technical scores for ISU Championships, reserving the right to revise the scores if they resulted in too few or too many entries. The decision followed a vote to eliminate the preliminary round. Midway through the season, the ISU confirmed the season's minimums for the European, Four Continents and World Junior Championships, but lowered the singles and pairs minimums for the senior World Championships. To be eligible to compete at the European, Four Continents, Junior World, or World Championships, skaters were required to achieve the following scores in a prior ISU-recognized event.
Music
Partnership changes
Some skaters announced the dissolution of a partnership or formation of a new one. Listed are changes involving at least one partner who competed at Worlds, Europeans, Four Continents, Junior Worlds or the senior Grand Prix, or who medaled on the Junior Grand Prix circuit.
Coaching changes
Retirements
Competitions
National skating associations may have held pre-season camps for members of their national team, during which skaters presented their programs and received feedback in preparation for the season. U.S. Figure Skating held its annual Champs Camp in August, while the Russian Skating Federation had test skates in August and September. In 2013, the ISU introduced the World Development Trophy for developing skating nations. The 2012–2013 season included the following competitions. ;Key
